What These Film Crews Are Shooting in Chicago Right Now

Places all around town are closed off for film crews. But everyone calm down. The seemingly glamorous sets are only to shoot pilot TV shows—and they’re for ABC.

By Trupti Rami

Published March 13, 2013

Photograph: Courtesy of Fox

Christian Slater in Breaking In, which lasted 20 episodes two years ago.

Wondering what all those film crews are suddenly doing in town? Once again, it’s pilot season.

ABC is filming three pilots around town this year. Here’s what we’ve heard so far from the Chicago Film Office:

Betrayal
This murder/revenge drama, starring James Cromwell of American Horror Story: Asylum, began filming at Tribune Tower this week and will continue with sites in Lincoln Park later this month.

DoubtHouse creator David Shore trades a hospital for a courtroom in this legal drama, which starts filming on March 18. Locations are TBD.

Influence
Christian Slater and Steve Zahn star in a drama about two brothers, an ex-con and a human psychology wiz, who head an agency that combines their talents of manipulation and science. Slater plays the ex-con, go figure. Filming for the Kyle Killen (Lone Star, Awake) show begins at the end of the month. Locations TBD.

Really, though, the pilots are just prepping us all for when Divergent (a.k.a. “Catbird") starts filming next month.